Global trade rules are extending the COVID pandemic
Decades of international collaborative research, much of it funded or conducted by governments including that of the United States, enabled the rapid development of highly effective COVID mRNA vaccines. The substantial public contribution to this scientific triumph has, however, not persuaded governments to treat the vaccines as global public goods—resulting in starkly inequitable distribution that should be remembered as an epic failure for humanity.
Consider that in clinical trials, Paxlovidreduced COVID mortality by 89 percent, and that the treatment is effective among high-risk groups, including people who are unvaccinated. A new report from the Veterans Administration health system found that treatment with Paxlovid was associated with reduced risk of long COVID regardless of vaccination status. In the United States, anyone who needs it can quickly get Paxlovid. President Biden, Anthony Fauci and many others have benefited from the drug.
Had there been an IP waiver for vaccine production, there is considerable evidence that, in spite of these complexities, some producers around the world would have entered. Remarkably, in spite of the evidence of supply shortages and vaccine apartheid, a WTO ministerial declaration issued in June failed to waive any IP barriers.
Just as happened when COVID vaccines emerged, wealthy countries pre-purchased the entire supply of Paxlovid. Under the current pharmaceutical IP regime, the same will likely occur with whatever effective COVID treatment surfaces next. Limited supplies and high costs restrict the flow of COVID-19 antivirals to low- and middle-income regions.
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